President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that freedom is a fundamental and inalienable birthright that should never be taken away.

The President said this in his address to the Maldivian people on the occasion of the Maldives' 54th Independence Day.

In his address, the President said the freedoms to which all Maldivian citizens are entitled to should never be compromised or undermined and that reflecting on and comparing measures of freedom in the past, the present and expectations for the future is a necessary exercise to ensure that the constitutional principles and Islamic values are protected.

President Solih said that his administration's foremost objective is to ensure wellness and unity in the community through policies that focus on improving housing, infrastructure, health and social welfare. He said that his administration's goal is to afford all Maldivian citizens with the means to realize their potential and live fulfilled lives enriched with civil liberties and economic prosperity.

He said that independence is cherished by all nations and that our sovereignty allows us to stand on equal footing with the rest of the international community. He noted that under his administration, the Maldives will firmly maintain its autonomy through all developmental strides and diplomatic associations. The President also highlighted the principle that the freedom conferred by being recognized as an equal within the international community should be matched by freedom at home, adding that this is best accomplished by upholding the liberties and values enshrined in our constitution.

Also in the address, President Solih expressed confidence and optimism for the future of the nation, and praised the achievements of the women's table tennis team at the Indian Ocean Island Games.

He also said that the Government will ensure that Maldivians are not only free from foreign influence but are also free from want and the evils of bribery, corruption and the abuse of state authority. He said this can only be achieved through cooperation from the entire populace, and urged all Maldivian citizens to embrace our civic duty to do our part in progressing this great nation.